RGI Position Papers
RGI regularly publishes positions with regard to current political developments and consultations. All of them can be downloaded below.
RGI regularly publishes positions with regard to current political developments and consultations. All of them can be downloaded below.
June 2022
RGI calls for a robust assessment of renewable hydrogen production and use and strongly believes that direct electrification should always take precedence, while renewable hydrogen could play a role in some hard-to-abate applications and for long-term storage purposes.
RGI also acknowledges that scarcity is becoming the new normal. Planning renewable hydrogen production, as well as other alternative technological applications, should therefore be done with resources and space availability in mind.
The full Statement can be downloaded by clicking here.
May 2022
In May 2022, RGI released a reaction to the REPowerEU Action Plan, emphasing that speeding up infrastructure deployment for developing and integrating renewables needs to be connected to nature and biodiversity restoration
Within the current geopolitical changes and to achieve or surpass our climate and energy targets, we need to prioritise and streamline processes for wind and solar infrastructure development as well as the necessary electricity grids. However, it is imperative that the effort of speeding up infrastructure deployment for developing and integrating renewables is connected to nature and biodiversity restoration. This means that REPowerEU and the definition of ‘renewables go-to areas’ need to be very strongly linked to the upcoming EU Nature Restoration Targets and the activities required to achieve both objectives need to be planned coherently and jointly.
The full Reaction can be downloaded by clicking here.
April 2022
RGI calls for balanced approach on inclusion of Lead in Authorisation List under REACH Regulation due to its needed use in electricity subsea cables.
RGI recognises that enhanced research and development is needed prior to any decision that could affect domestic production and availability of internally Lead-sheathed cables. For this to happen, adequate time should be made available for the European cabling industry to find technical and commercial alternatives, ultimately resulting in the replacement of Lead with other feasible alternatives.
The full Statement can be downloaded by clicking here.
July 2021
On 14th July, the European Commission tabled a part of the ‘Fit for 55‘ package to strengthen the EU Emissions Trading System, update the Energy Taxation Directive, and propose new CO2 standards for cars, new energy efficiency standards for buildings, new targets for renewables, and new ways of supporting clean fuels and infrastructure for clean transport.
This is one of the most ambitious policy overhauls in EU history and a unique opportunity for the EU to set the foundations for an at least 55% GHG reduction by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050.
RGI strongly believes that a renewable-based electrification of our economy, coupled with the sustainable expansion and modernisation of EU electricity grid, is the fastest and most cost-effective way to achieve significant CO2 emission reductions over the coming decade. Therefore, we recommend for the messages in our position paper to be considered in the revision.
The full Position Paper can be downloaded by clicking here.
March 2021
The TEN-E (Trans-European Networks for Energy policy) is a central instrument in terms of energy infrastructure and therefore the cost-effective decarbonisation of the energy system and climate neutrality. In 2020, the EC started a revision and consultation process (to which RGI also responded) and published a proposal in December.
RGI welcomed the overall intention of the proposal to align the network infrastructure with climate targets. However, along with our TSO and NGO Members, we have identified key principles and actions which we believe should be taken into consideration in the development of the energy infrastructure. Find the response here.
October 2020
The ‘Request to Adapt European Energy Planning Scenarios’ is a clear statement to policymakers that energy planning should work with scenarios that are compatible with the Paris Agreement, the priorities of the European Green Deal and the European Council's decision to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
As of October 2020, 50 signatories from across society, including many transmission system operators, have signed the Request and added their names to the growing call.
The full Request can be downloaded by clicking here.
October 2020
The Renewables Grid Initiative (RGI) strongly supports an increase of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target as an important stepping-stone towards a 2050 climate neutrality goal.
RGI's full position paper, including specific policy recommendations, can be accessed in PDF form by clicking here.
September 2020
In our response to the Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy consultation, we ask that a holistic energy system approach be adopted for offshore planning expansion. Our is based on our the diverse experiences and knowledge of our Members, as well as RGI's engagement with marine stakeholders.
RGI's response to the consultation can be accessed in PDF form by clicking here.
July 2020
Our reponse to the European commission's consultation on the revision of the guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure (TEN-E) regulation detail what we consider to be the priority elements to be taken into consideration in order to ensure that Europe's energy infrastructure can be planned to reflect changes in the energy landscape and prepares us for future challenges.
RGI's response to the consultation can be accessed in PDF form by clicking here.
30 June 2020
The signatories of this Request, are committed to the objective set by the ratified Paris Agreement to pursue efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. They believe that energy infrastructure investment decisions play a fundamental role in reaching this target.
The signatories are therefore calling for the EU Ten Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP) 2022 to work with scenarios that are compatible with the Paris Agreement, the priorities of the European Green Deal and the European Council's decision to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and thus are supported by a diverse group of stakeholders.
June 2020
In response to the European Commission's consultation on the EU Strategy for Smart Sector Integration, RGI worked closely with our Member organisations to devise a detailed response on what lawmakers should prioritise in order to fully exploit the synergies enabled by an integrated energy system, deliver the energy transition and reach full decarbonisation as swiftly as possible. Furthermore, RGI responded to the consultation on the Roadmap for the preparation of the EU Strategy for Hydrogen, highlighting the aspects to be taken into account, such as terminology, infrastructure optimisation and collaborative planning, technological options and market regulation.
RGI's response to the SSI Strategy and our response to the Hydrogen Strategy are available in PDF form by clicking these hyperlinks.
April 2020
The Renewables Grid Initiative has issued a statement about the need to have the European Recovery and Reconstruction Package coherent and aligned with agreed political objectives for decarbonisation and climate protection. The Green Deal and the White Deal are important frameworks to foster sustainability, fairness and growth.
We are calling for measures that lead to value creation for the economy, the environment, the climate and the European citizens. Having an energy and climate perspective, we make concrete suggestions on what is needed in the stimulus package with regard to investment in renewables, the necessary grid, flexibility measures in a decarbonising energy system. Moreover, we stress how investments in renewables and related infrastructure can deliver new jobs and local opportunities for communities and citizens.
January 2020
In the context of the joint development and launch of the TYNDP 2020 by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for electricity and gas (ENTSO-E & ENTSOG respectively), RGI sends the following open letter to colleagues in the ENTSOs, ITRE Committee the European Commission. The letter contains our congratulations on the positive strides taken under this round of the TYNDPs and acknowledges the willingness of the ENTSOs to bring the scenarios in line with the Paris Agreement and with the objectives of the European Green Deal. However, RGI recognises opportunities for further efforts to be made. These are contained in 5 key recommendations.
February 2019
RGI welcomes the efforts by the Commission to select and identify PCIs that are necessary infrastructure for achieving the European Union's climate energy policy objectives. It is very important that projects contribute to, and/or are coherent with delivering the objectives agreed upon in the Paris Agreement, are included in the final PCI list. This is essential to improve the reputation of the PCI label across the European Union and its perception amongst European citizens where the projects are the be realised.
June 2017
RGI welcomes the efforts by the Commission to select PCIs that are in line with the energy and climate objectives Europe has committed to. It is very important that projects that contribute to, and/or are coherent with delivering the objectives agreed upon in the Paris Agreement are included in the final PCI list. This is essential to improve the reputation of the PCI-label across the European Union and its perception amongst European citizens where the projects are to be realised.
June 2017
RGI and ENTSO-E jointly released this handout at the Energy Infrastructure Forum on 2 June in Copenhagen. It points out that implementing better projects with locally tailored, transparent and participatory planning, fostered by sound communication, will minimise impacts and reduce potential conflicts and risks of failure. I calls for a recovery of costs for such a stakeholder dialogue through grid tariffs.
May 2017
RGI welcomes the publication of the 'Clean Energy For All Europeans' package that should help the EU to make the transition to a zero carbon economy. RGI believes that the extensive set of legislative proposals from the European Commission is essential to ensure the full integration of efforts performed by Member States, businesses and other stakeholders for a successful energy transition in Europe and to empower citizens and prosumers by putting them in the centre of the clean energy system for their benefit and an increased flexibility of the system.
December 2015
RGI calls on global decision makers to commit to phase out fossil fuel emissions globally by 2050 and to move towards energy systems largely based on renewable energy, to prevent dangerous climate change.
March 2015
The Renewables Grid Initiative (RGI) backs the concept of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs). This EU label should allow highly critical and needed electrical infrastructures to obtain faster permitting procedures, streamlined and improved regulatory conditions and European and potentially national financial support. These better conditions could facilitate a faster deployment of electricity networks to achieve Europe’s objectives for energy security, climate change mitigation and nature conservation.
February 2014
RGI calls on the European Council to agree in a timely manner on an ambitious and coherent set of binding targets for 2030 for (I) greenhouse gas emissions reductions, (II) energy efficiency and (III) renewable energy. The related needs for grid development and system security must be carefully considered when designing supporting mechanisms and policies.
June 2013
The Renewables-Grid-Initiative welcomes the European Commission's work on non-binding guidance for streamlining environmental assessments of Projects of Common Interests (PCIs). Based on years of experience in balancing out different interests of TSOs and NGOs, in this position paper RGI would like to propose some complementary recommendations to the first draft of the Commission's Guidance document - on the basis of the European Grid Declaration.
May 2012
In its position paper in March 2012, RGI has suggested to further strengthen the Commission's proposal in the topics of environmental legislation, public acceptance and stakeholder involvement, and long term planning. We are pleased to see these suggestions reflected in the ITRE report.
April 2012
The Renewables Grid Initiative (RGI) welcomes the work that ENTSO-E has delivered in drafting the second Ten Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP) in 2012 and the invitation to give feedback on this plan in an open consultation. In view of future TYNDPs, RGI sees some room for further improvement on the process as well as the content.
March 2012
The Renewables Grid Initiative warmly welcomes the Commission’s current proposal for a Regulation on Guidelines for Trans-European Energy Infrastructure. RGI supports the aims to accelerate and improve the legal and administrative frameworks for grid development, but suggests to strengthen the current proposal in three areas.
April 2011
This document presents the activities of the Renewables-Grid-Initiative and suggests practical areas of collaboration with the Commission on the issue of public acceptance. It was presented to EU Commissioner of Energy Günther Oettinger on 13 April 2011.
October 2010
The integration of fast growing renewable electricity into the European grid and the achievement of ambitious energy security and climate protection goals of the European Union require an accelerated development of the grid network which should be reflected as a priority in the forthcoming European Infrastructure Package. In the submission, RGI proposes eight areas of intervention, which in RGI's view should be considered and included in the infrastructure package.
July 2010
The increasing share of renewable energies in Europe’s generation mix that are required to meet Europe’s twin objectives of energy and climate security, have shown the need for expanding Europe’s current interconnectors’ capacity. This note’s purpose is to demonstrate the need for EU public (co)funding for grid infrastructure over the next 10 years that would foster the integration of large-scale and decentralised renewable energies. RGI’s position is that the purpose of public funding for grid infrastructure is to facilitate the decrease of the risk profile of such investments. Additionally, RGI stresses the urgent need of developing European harmonized regulatory conditions while developing new financing tools particularly directed at projects of European relevance and in particular at pilot projects testing new technologies.
Stephanie Bätjer
Programme Manager – Communication
Programme Manager – Communication
t: +49 30 2332 11017
RGI gratefully acknowledges the EU LIFE funding support:
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the LIFE Programme. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.